Semi-Custom Dog Restraint Harness write-up

W

Wile.E.Coyote

New member
My girlfriend was involved in a rollover accident a few months ago and one of our dogs was in the car. Fortunately, both my GF and the dog were OK, but since our little terrier ended up being thrown into the cargo area and could just have easily been thrown from the car, we decided it was time to get both of our puppies set up with some restraints. I was at REI yesterday and they had the Kurgo Smart Fit harnesses on sale for $17 each so I bought them and put them on for the ride home. By the time I got home there were a few things I didn't like so I thought I'd set up a little custom system to remedy some shortcomings of the harnesses in 'stock' form.

First off, the harnesses are really nice, quality webbing, heavy duty hardware. My dogs don't seem to the mind them at all and they can double as a walking harness. Here's a couple pics of the harnesses.
<a href="http://s1065.photobucket.com/user/rfremontwiley/media/IMG_0940_zps544cb9cc.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1065.photobucket.com/albums/u393/rfremontwiley/IMG_0940_zps544cb9cc.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_0940_zps544cb9cc.jpg"/></a>
<a href="http://s1065.photobucket.com/user/rfremontwiley/media/IMG_0942_zpsfb1769b2.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1065.photobucket.com/albums/u393/rfremontwiley/IMG_0942_zpsfb1769b2.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_0942_zpsfb1769b2.jpg"/></a>
<a href="http://s1065.photobucket.com/user/rfremontwiley/media/IMG_0941_zps3d9b1107.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1065.photobucket.com/albums/u393/rfremontwiley/IMG_0941_zps3d9b1107.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_0941_zps3d9b1107.jpg"/></a>

But here's what I didn't like: The instructions say to clip the harness tether directly to the seat belt. The problem is that if you don't have your foot on the brake the dog can pull the seat belt out as far as they want to and generally wander all about the car. And if you got in an accident while they had it pulled out then it wouldn't really keep them from flying around. You could clip the tether to one of the car seat anchor points, but the tether is only about 10-12inches long and the anchor points are either behind the seat back or in the seat crease by the seat belt clip which means that the dog wouldn't be able to move at all when clipped in because it's too short.

So I decided to use my (limited) experience with rock climbing to create a couple tether extensions with some new carabiners. First I bought some 1in. climbing spec webbing from REI. It was $12.95 for 30ft.
<a href="http://s1065.photobucket.com/user/rfremontwiley/media/IMG_0956_zps5d26fb8a.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1065.photobucket.com/albums/u393/rfremontwiley/IMG_0956_zps5d26fb8a.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_0956_zps5d26fb8a.jpg"/></a>

I decided that I wanted to use the anchor that's on the back of the seat. This would allow the dogs to easily stand up and lay down with enough space, but still keep them from getting too far forward and trying to step on the center console (which drives me crazy!).

I measured about 30in of webbing, cut and doubled it up then put 2 overhand with a bight knots in the webbing, one that was tied into the anchor and one that simply created a loop in the end for clipping in the new biner. Here's a pic:
<a href="http://s1065.photobucket.com/user/rfremontwiley/media/IMG_0945_zps633a5462.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1065.photobucket.com/albums/u393/rfremontwiley/IMG_0945_zps633a5462.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_0945_zps633a5462.jpg"/></a>

I had a few spare carabiners around so I clipped one onto the loop end and replaced the steel carabiner that came with the harness. There's probably nothing wrong with the steel carabiner, but I'd always prefer a climbing spec biner to a generic one. The climbing biners are also much lighter aluminum which makes it more comfortable for the dogs. Biners are on sale for about $4 each sometimes.

The extension ends up being maybe 8in long. Here's the finished product with extension clipped to the tether and clipped to my big dumb lab:
<a href="http://s1065.photobucket.com/user/rfremontwiley/media/IMG_0944_zps42a1ef18.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1065.photobucket.com/albums/u393/rfremontwiley/IMG_0944_zps42a1ef18.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_0944_zps42a1ef18.jpg"/></a>

Then I repeated the whole process on the other side for terrier mix:
<a href="http://s1065.photobucket.com/user/rfremontwiley/media/IMG_0947_zpsb9b5cf2b.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1065.photobucket.com/albums/u393/rfremontwiley/IMG_0947_zpsb9b5cf2b.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_0947_zpsb9b5cf2b.jpg"/></a>

I like this set up because it keeps them in the seat, only allows enough movement to stand up, put their head out the window and lay down. It also has the advantage that I can clip them in when they're in the cargo area. And when it's time to get out of the car I can just unclip the tether and have a nice short 'leash' to grab them in case we're getting out in a busy or dangerous area.
<a href="http://s1065.photobucket.com/user/rfremontwiley/media/IMG_0953_zps306ea269.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1065.photobucket.com/albums/u393/rfremontwiley/IMG_0953_zps306ea269.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_0953_zps306ea269.jpg"/></a>
 
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if the dogs are in the cargo area with that setup the loop mount will bend or snap off the seat frame. i had something hooked to mine in the cargo area and it bent. after taking off the back panel i saw that its just a small piece of sheet metal that the ring is in that is spot welded to the seat frame. it can handle the pulling from over the seat but not away from the seat if they were in the back. having a dog myself i do like the idea of having them secure in the vehicle

Wile.E.Coyote said:
My girlfriend was involved in a rollover accident a few months ago and one of our dogs was in the car. Fortunately, both my GF and the dog were OK, but since our little terrier ended up being thrown into the cargo area and could just have easily been thrown from the car, we decided it was time to get both of our puppies set up with some restraints. I was at REI yesterday and they had the Kurgo Smart Fit harnesses on sale for $17 each so I bought them and put them on for the ride home. By the time I got home there were a few things I didn't like so I thought I'd set up a little custom system to remedy some shortcomings of the harnesses in 'stock' form.

First off, the harnesses are really nice, quality webbing, heavy duty hardware. My dogs don't seem to the mind them at all and they can double as a walking harness. Here's a couple pics of the harnesses.
<a href="http://s1065.photobucket.com/user/rfremontwiley/media/IMG_0940_zps544cb9cc.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1065.photobucket.com/albums/u393/rfremontwiley/IMG_0940_zps544cb9cc.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_0940_zps544cb9cc.jpg"/></a>
<a href="http://s1065.photobucket.com/user/rfremontwiley/media/IMG_0942_zpsfb1769b2.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1065.photobucket.com/albums/u393/rfremontwiley/IMG_0942_zpsfb1769b2.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_0942_zpsfb1769b2.jpg"/></a>
<a href="http://s1065.photobucket.com/user/rfremontwiley/media/IMG_0941_zps3d9b1107.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1065.photobucket.com/albums/u393/rfremontwiley/IMG_0941_zps3d9b1107.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_0941_zps3d9b1107.jpg"/></a>

But here's what I didn't like: The instructions say to clip the harness tether directly to the seat belt. The problem is that if you don't have your foot on the brake the dog can pull the seat belt out as far as they want to and generally wander all about the car. And if you got in an accident while they had it pulled out then it wouldn't really keep them from flying around. You could clip the tether to one of the car seat anchor points, but the tether is only about 10-12inches long and the anchor points are either behind the seat back or in the seat crease by the seat belt clip which means that the dog wouldn't be able to move at all when clipped in because it's too short.

So I decided to use my (limited) experience with rock climbing to create a couple tether extensions with some new carabiners. First I bought some 1in. climbing spec webbing from REI. It was $12.95 for 30ft.
<a href="http://s1065.photobucket.com/user/rfremontwiley/media/IMG_0956_zps5d26fb8a.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1065.photobucket.com/albums/u393/rfremontwiley/IMG_0956_zps5d26fb8a.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_0956_zps5d26fb8a.jpg"/></a>

I decided that I wanted to use the anchor that's on the back of the seat. This would allow the dogs to easily stand up and lay down with enough space, but still keep them from getting too far forward and trying to step on the center console (which drives me crazy!).

I measured about 30in of webbing, cut and doubled it up then put 2 overhand with a bight knots in the webbing, one that was tied into the anchor and one that simply created a loop in the end for clipping in the new biner. Here's a pic:
<a href="http://s1065.photobucket.com/user/rfremontwiley/media/IMG_0945_zps633a5462.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1065.photobucket.com/albums/u393/rfremontwiley/IMG_0945_zps633a5462.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_0945_zps633a5462.jpg"/></a>

I had a few spare carabiners around so I clipped one onto the loop end and replaced the steel carabiner that came with the harness. There's probably nothing wrong with the steel carabiner, but I'd always prefer a climbing spec biner to a generic one. The climbing biners are also much lighter aluminum which makes it more comfortable for the dogs. Biners are on sale for about $4 each sometimes.

The extension ends up being maybe 8in long. Here's the finished product with extension clipped to the tether and clipped to my big dumb lab:
<a href="http://s1065.photobucket.com/user/rfremontwiley/media/IMG_0944_zps42a1ef18.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1065.photobucket.com/albums/u393/rfremontwiley/IMG_0944_zps42a1ef18.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_0944_zps42a1ef18.jpg"/></a>

Then I repeated the whole process on the other side for terrier mix:
<a href="http://s1065.photobucket.com/user/rfremontwiley/media/IMG_0947_zpsb9b5cf2b.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1065.photobucket.com/albums/u393/rfremontwiley/IMG_0947_zpsb9b5cf2b.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_0947_zpsb9b5cf2b.jpg"/></a>

I like this set up because it keeps them in the seat, only allows enough movement to stand up, put their head out the window and lay down. It also has the advantage that I can clip them in when they're in the cargo area. And when it's time to get out of the car I can just unclip the tether and have a nice short 'leash' to grab them in case we're getting out in a busy or dangerous area.
<a href="http://s1065.photobucket.com/user/rfremontwiley/media/IMG_0953_zps306ea269.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1065.photobucket.com/albums/u393/rfremontwiley/IMG_0953_zps306ea269.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_0953_zps306ea269.jpg"/></a>
Click to expand...
 
Thanks for sharing a new idea. Lots of 4 legged copilots here. I wanted to bring it to your and others' attention that if you pull the seat belt all the way out, it will lock and as you allow it to go back in, will not unwind further until wound all the way in. Thereby providing a strong and stable tether location out of your seatbelt, assuming you leave it out a slight distance - say buckled in.
 
Thanks for the feedback guys. Kevin, I'm surprised that the anchor point isn't that strong, I assumed it was for car seats, but maybe it's just a directional issue. Maybe I'll try the seat crease anchor. Arunner, thanks for letting me know about the seatbelts, I think we'll do that in my GF's car if it works the same way in a Kia. I want to keep the belts covered in my car since my lab isn't that bright and gets tangled easily.....
 
Alternatively you might be able to fab you up a harness with a buckle that fits our seat belt fasteners and simply plug into those. If nothing else grab one out of a wrecked unit and build your own straps for it.
 
you can get free seat belt extensions from toyota. just have to have a reason and they will give you one
 
Great idea, I've always thought about adding something like this. Trying to arm brake my 100 lb Pit may not end well if I have to stop in a hurry
 
Glad to hear everyone was okay in the accident. I wish more people would restrain their pets in the car. I'm a huge advocate for pet restraint. Toting around a Great Dane can be quite dangerous when he's unrestrained. A large/giant dog could kill your restrained passengers/children as he flies around the car on impact.
I purchased a safety harness similar to yours some time ago but it was cheaply made and no way would the buckles last. I wrote the company and asked if they had any plans in redesigning as their harness didn't even hold up in a crash test studies against many brands. Gladly, they were in the process of creating a new one with all metal buckles and kindly sent me one to try out before it was released for sale. Solvit is the brand and has now passed the crash testing. I'd check to ensure yours has been tested as well.
I've been using this one for about 2 years now. This company is great to work with and I've so far been very happy with the product. Thankfully though, I've never been in an accident with my dog.

Couple pics of him in his harness.









Solvit Products
 
This is a great thread. I've always been nervous driving around with my Rhodesian Ridgebacks loose in the car. (Plus the puppy keeps trying to jump into the front seats while I'm driving.) I'm going to look into these ASAP.
 
My Pointer loves to ride in the 4runner. I cover the rear seat with a towel and I wrap his leash once around the center head rest. It won't pull off, and in the event of a sudden stop he may slam into the back of the front seats, but he won't go any further. I leave enough slack for him to look out either window. On long trips, he rides in his kennel.

I see people driving with pets in their lap and I think it's idiotic and these drivers should be fined. Talk about a distraction.
 
97BlackAckCL said:
Great idea, I've always thought about adding something like this. Trying to arm brake my 100 lb Pit may not end well if I have to stop in a hurry
Click to expand...

Haha, yea the old 'arm brake' trick probably isn't going to cut it when you seriously smash into something. Imagine if your dog was in the car like that T4R smashing that Corolla on the freeway in the video that was going around last week.
 
PWGUNNY said:
I see people driving with pets in their lap and I think it's idiotic and these drivers should be fined. Talk about a distraction.
Click to expand...

Wile.E.Coyote said:
Haha, yea the old 'arm brake' trick probably isn't going to cut it when you seriously smash into something. Imagine if your dog was in the car like that T4R smashing that Corolla on the freeway in the video that was going around last week.
Click to expand...

i work at a large pet and farm supply store, and i routinely have customers who talk about trying to restrain their pets in the front seat, and they always get an earful about how

1. i don't care if its a chihuahua or a great dane, the air bag will kill your dog in the event that it goes off
2. if you try to arm brake for you pet and the airbag deploys, your arm will be burned and likely broken, and your pet will suffer broken bones on any part of its body that you contact it with, and thats the start of the issues.

its amazing how people who view their dogs as their best friends and take closer care of them than children can put them in such danger without even realizing it, makes people like you guys ( [MENTION=72408]Mytoy4[/MENTION] too!) and me cringe when i think about what could happen if god forbid there was a crash.

that all being said, if anyone on here or has anyone they know who wants some more product options for restraints or transport options for their dogs, feel free to PM me, i have literally hundreds of products related to this, and sorry, i can't ship them to you, but I'm more than happy to help anyone who wants to find a safer way to transport your slightly hairy family members

:D safe travels pet peoples
 
Even restrained and able to stick their head out windows bothers me. I've known dogs that have been hit in the face with small pieces of crap from the road. It's just not worth it to me. One would never allow their child to ride unrestrained or with their head out the window going at high speeds, yet why should it be different with your pet.
 
Mytoy4 said:
Sorry quick update. I was able to find that study where they tested many brands. Some passed, many did not. Appears that yours was one that passed the test.
http://centerforpetsafety.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/2013_cps_harness_study_summary_final.pdf
Click to expand...

So I read through the study and it turns out that my harness did not pass the crash test part. There were 2 stages of the test, a static testing and a dynamic crash testing. The Kurgo passed the static testing but not the crash testing. Only one harness passed both parts- the Sleepypod. BTW the study was sponsors by Subaru.
 
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